India has thousands of years of history of consuming herbal foods to enhance bodily functions and also to improve the outward appearance of the skin and also to slow down the natural aging process.

In this day and age where people resort to harsh cosmetic products and procedures to enhance their appearance, perhaps we could take a step back and look at what people in ancient times had to offer in terms of achieving natural beauty. This is not to say that we should stop all forms of modern beauty treatments: the key is to avoid the negative side effects of modern chemicals and procedures and to give our skin and appearance a natural boost using herbs and herbal foods.

An example of a beauty food that many Indian people consume a lot is honey. Honey is soothing and nourishing when consumed orally and it can also be applied directly to the skin, where it is known to exhibit antiseptic properties. Skin that is experiencing inflammatory conditions such as acne and rashes have been known to be calmed by applying honey directly onto the skin.

Indians also consume a lot of turmeric and ginger – both are known for their antiseptic properties. They have even been grounded into powder form for direct application onto the skin, which again can have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory benefits for the skin.

Another herb you should pay attention to is Neem. Neem is an evergreen tree found in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Indians have long known about the medicinal and beauty properties of the Neem. It is considered something like a super herb. Every part of the Neem has been known to be utilized for medicinal and beauty purposes. For example, many Indians like to use Neem leaves in their bath. Neem leaves have antiseptic, antifungal and even antiviral properties. As such, it is used to treat a host of internal and external conditions, ranging from acne, diabetes, gum disease to arthritis.

Interestingly, Neem has recently been featured on Dr Oz’s blog. In case you don’t know, Dr Oz is a celebrity doctor that has his own television show, and often talks about health and beauty treatments people can use at home. As he is a medical doctor by training, he does not restrict himself to only traditional or herbal treatments. For example, in terms of beauty products, he does feature and recommend modern at home beauty treatment devices like high frequency facials.

Back to the topic of Neem, it is such a potent and versatile herb that every part – including the bark, the flowers and the seed contain health and beauty benefits. Modern researchers are now conducting a lot of research on Neem to uncover even more benefits. Of late, a very popular way of using Neem is through Neem oil. Neem oil can be used on the skin to relieve irritation and redness resulting from conditions such as acne and rosacea. It can even be used on the scalp to relieve itchiness and dandruff. People who have just undergone skin exfoliation treatments like chemical peels and microdermabrasion (yes! you can do microdermabrasion at home! read this article to learn more about reviews of home microdermabrasion machines systems) can also use it to calm and soothe the skin.

Even though this post is mainly about the beauty properties of herbs, you should note that herbs are not all there is to natural beauty. Here are some other things you should pay attention to in order to achieve wholesome natural beauty:

Adequate sleep: Sleep is out body’s way to restore and rejuvenate cells. Make sure you get at least 7 hours of sleep everyday, or your skin may start to appear dull and lack radiance

Drink enough water: The importance of drinking enough water and hydrating your skin cannot be overstated

Do regular exercise. Yoga, an ancient Indian practice combines the physical and spiritual and helps rejuvenate the body and mind

Traditional Indian hair care offers natural alternatives to chemical products. Thesehair care techniques have stood the test of time curing common hair problems including dandruff, hair loss and dry hair. If you want hair that is not only healthy but also looks and feels awesome, below are a few Traditional Indian Hair Care Tips you may want to utilize.

Maintaining healthy hair

For you to realize your dream hair, a diet that is packed with fruits and vegetables is paramount. Natural foods such as coconuts and leafy vegetables have an array of nutrients for your hair. On the other hand, over processed foods coupled with stress is the perfect recipe for bad hair. Furthermore, it has been proven that spices such as cumin and black pepper go to nourish your hair.

Washing your hair

If you want a shiny and clean hair, wash it regularly with Shikakai Paste or Shikakai Powder while avoiding detergent based shampoos that tend to be harsh on your hair. Also, let your hair dry out naturally avoiding brushing it while still wet since this might cause it to split. Additionally, rinsing your hair with a mild vinegar mix of two cups of water and one tablespoon of vinegar will give your hair that smoother look. If you want to add some reddish tones to your dark hair, using body art quality henna will help you achieve this while still conditioning your hair.

Oiling your hair

This is one of the most essential parts of traditional Indian hair care. For strong and dandruff free hair, oiling it thrice a week will go to ensure you achieve the best results possible. You can use coconut oil or Amala which is Indian traditional hair oil. Additionally, infusing the coconut oil with hibiscus flowers or herbs such as rosemary will go a long way into sorting specific hair issues. Proceed to massage the oil thoroughly into your scalp to enhance hair growth while increasing circulation. With a wide toothed comb, comb the oil down to your hair ends. If the ends are dry, apply oil directly on them as well. Then, wrap your hair in a hot towel and leave it for a night or at least an hour for maximum absorption. Finally, wash the oil off your hair until it is clean.

Many Indian women like to keep their hair long. Compared to other ethnic groups, Indian people tend to have hair that is coarser and less prone to breakage. This is a natural advantage when it comes to subjecting their hair to treatments such as hair straightening, curling or even just blow-drying. That said, their tendency to have hair that is less brittle and less prone to breakage may be attributed to their extensive use of oils which strengthens their hair. Whether you are an Indian women or not, you may supplement your hair care regime with these traditional Indian hair oils.

Following these Traditional Indian Hair Care Tips, your hair will always be smooth, soft and will age gracefully giving you the million dollar look every single day. It is also noteworthy that you should perform the outlined steps at least 3 times a week for best results.